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"AVERY LIBRARY 
COLUNBIA UNIVERSITY 


MOLY FF QIAN IAY AAVIAL °C) YleDdif 


‘O ‘NOMNV “IOOHDS AATIIN 


SCHOOLHOUSE 
ACOUSTICS 


EXT to light and ventilation, no problem in schoolhouse 
construction 1s more important than the acoustics, and 
this problem presents itself in two phases, namely, the 
conveyance of sound and its confinement within its own 
sphere of usefulness. The first phase has received far 
more attention than the last, but educators have finally 
awakened to the fact that the latter is of much greater 
practical importance. In these days of numerous courses 
and hard study, and the consequent strain upon the 
nervous system which is so apparent in our school children, few things 
can be more important than absolute quiet in which to master their 
lessons. If a class is constantly interrupted by the singing, marching, 
or reciting of the scholars in the next room, it is impossible for them 
to apply themselves and accomplish the best results in study, and they 
are continually wrought up to a state of nervous excitement, which 
is injurious to the health and a perfect torment to their teacher. 

For these reasons the necessity of preventing the sounds of one 
room from penetrating into another is now generally recognized, and 
has led to exhaustive inquiry into the various methods and materials 
to be employed for the accomplishment of this result. It is known 
that the ordinary plaster and timber construction forms a very im- 
perfect barrier to the conduction of sound, plaster being at all times 
a poor non-conductor, and the timbers, so far from helping matters, 
often increase the difficulties, each one forming a telephone to convey 
the sound. It is therefore necessary to line the floors and walls with 
some material that will break up and absorb the sound-waves, and 
which will also at the same time meet the other requirements, such as 
durability, reasonable expense, hygienic properties, etc. 

Common felts and papers are practically valueless as deafeners, 
being thin and dense, and having no resiliency or sound-absorbing 
power worth mentioning; and they are short lived. Heavy felts made 
of matted hair, shoddy, etc., are fairly good when new, but, like all 
materials of animal origin, are subject to destruction by moths and 
other insects and vermin (which they of course attract) and to rapid 
nitrogenous decay, losing in a comparatively short time such virtue 
as they originally possess, and producing very unsanitary conditions. 
Mineral wool is unsuccessful, because its fibre is so fragile that it will 
not support any weight, and therefore cannot intervene between the 
boards and timbers to interrupt the telephonic conduction of sound, 
but can only be used to fill up the spaces that are built for it. It has 
absolutely no elasticity, and in a short time the jarring of the building 


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BOM FAN 


FRIENDSHIP SCHOOL, PITTSBURG, PA. 


C. M, Bartberger, Architect, Pittsburg 


causes it to settle, so that it does not fill up the spaces, and eventually 
reduces it to a worthless powder. While fairly cheap itself, special 
construction 1s required to use it, which adds much to the expense. 

None of these materials were devised for sound-deadening pur- 
poses, and their introduction into this field has been done in a hap- 
hazard, experimental manner, and is a result of the groping that has 


ro) 


been going on for years in search of some really efficient deadener, of 
which the need has been urgent. This urgent need was the cause 


of the researches which led to the production of 


CABOT’S DEAFENING “QUILT.” 


The materials and construction of this Quilt were carefully 
chosen to form an article which would meet all the requirements, not 
only in the isolation of sound,—although that was the first consider- 
ation, —but also in permanence, hygienic qualities (freedom from 
decay, or the attraction or harboring of insects), etc. 

It is composed of a peculiarly laminated matting of cured eel- 
grass (Zostera Marina), held in place between two layers of tough 
manila paper by “quilting,” whence its name, “Quilt,” which is the 
registered trade-mark of the material. Eel-grass was selected for the 
filling, after exhaustive tests of that and other materials, for four very 
important reasons, namely: (1) because the blades are long and flat, 
and when felted as they are in the Quilt they form innumerable 
minute dead-air spaces, making the absorbent cushion which is neces- 
sary to break up and dissipate the sound-waves, and which is impos- 
sible with a round fibre; (2) because eel-grass, being a sea plant, 


HIGH SCHOOL, BURLINGTON, VT. 


W.R. B, Willcox, Architect, Burlington 


contains Silicon to a large extent in place of the Carbon of plants that 
grow in the air, and therefore is very uninflammable, it being impos- 
sible to make it burn at all unless direct flame is applied, and such 
slight combustion as then takes place ceases instantly when the flame 
is withdrawn; (3) because it is indestructible by decay, as is well 
known to every dweller on the seashore, while the Iodine, which is 
always present in sea plants, repels insects or vermin;* (4) because 
it is very tough, and never loses the elasticity which is so necessary 
for non-conducting purposes. It will therefore be seen that Quilt is 
constructed upon rational and scientific principles in every particular, 
and the result is the most efficient and nearly perfect deafener on the 
market, and at as low a price as any that has any value worth men- 
tioning for this purpose. 
Where aésolutely fireproof construction is wanted our 


ASBESTOS QUILT 


should be used. This is the regular Quilt covered on both sides with 
heavy asbestos paper, and forming a fireproof sheathing infinitely 
superior to sheet asbestos or the other so-called fireproofings. 
Asbestos Quilt is the only thing of the kind which combines high 
insulating, deafening, and fireproofing power, all other insulators or 
deafeners being inflammable, and all other fireproofings being poor 
non-conductors. 

*The walls of the old Pierce house, Dorchester, Mass., built in 1635, are stuffed between the studding with eel- 


grass. This fact was discovered in 1893, while making some repairs, and it was found that the eel-grass was in a perfect 
state of preservation. We have a sample of this 275-year-old eel-grass in our office. 


HIGH SCHOOL, CHESTER, PA. 
Seymour Davis, Architect, Philadelphia 


An absolutely fireproof, thoroughly deadened partition can be 
built of iron studding, Quilt, metal lath, and plaster; and such a par- 
tition will be of minimum weight, thickness, and cost. Quilt can 
also be used in connection with plaster blocks, plaster boards, or 
hollow tile, increasing the fireproof qualities of either, and giving 
sound-proof qualities, which they lack, in addition. 

The accompanying illustrations, showing schoolhouses in all 
parts of the country where Quilt has been successfully used, give an 
idea of the wide vogue which it has obtained among architects and 
educators, and these and the letters testifying to the satisfaction it 
has given show that it has been cordially received by those who 
have been seeking the best results in this direction. 


IMITATIONS. 


The success of Quilt has brought imitations, as usual. Two of 
these in particular have copied our material and methods and adver- 
tising as closely as the law would allow; but they are made of cow 
hair, scraped from tanners’ hides, and crude flax or tow respectively. 
We did not cover either of these things in our patents, because we 
knew them to be unfit to put into any building. They both are 
subject to rapid decay, both form harbors and breeding places for 
moths and vermin, and the latter is dangerously inflammable, tow 
being perhaps the most inflammable of all vegetable fibres. 

Samples of the Quilt, with circulars containing prices and full 
information, will be sent, on application, by the patentee and sole 
manufacturer, 


SAMUEL CABOT, 141 Milk Street, BOSTON, Mass. 


NORTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 
C. FF, Struck, Architect, Minneapolis 


We used Quilt in floors, between floorings, and in walls, with furring strips to hold it to the 
studs, to deaden sound for an invalid’s room. The owner tells us that he is much pleased with it — 
that carpenters hammering in the hall adjoining do not disturb him in the least. This seems to us a 
good proof of its usefulness, and we propose to use it in all places where a good deafener is desirable. 

HAVERHILL, Mass., April 6, 1897. PERKINS, .& BANCROFT, Architects. 


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HAZELDELL SCHOOL, CLEVELAND, O. 


M. M. Gleichman, Architect, Cleveland 


SCHOOL AT WATERTOWN, WIS. 


Claude & Starck, Architects, Madison, Wis. 


About fifteen months ago I used your two-ply Quilt for deafening between the floors, with no 
plaster to intervene, and the result was excellent. Now I am building another such Swiss house and 
need one thousand feet more, which I want you to send. 


CLEVELAND, OHTIo, Feb. 23, 1899 FREDERICK BAIRD, Architect. 


I have used Cabot’s Deafening Quilt on a number of buildings, and I find it excellent as an 
insulator of sound, heat, and cold. I take pleasure in recommending it for these purposes. 
NEW YORK UN»... Octy 2uigor CHARLES ALLING GIFFORD, Architect. 


WASHINGTON IRVING SCHOOL, TARRYTOWN, N. Y. 
A.J. Manning, Architect, New Voerk City 


HIGH SCHOOL, MARION, O. 


Yost & Packard, Architects, Columbus 


~~ I have been much gratified with the success which I have had in the use of your sheathing Quilt 
SN, as a sound deafener. I have used it in several apartment buildings, where the question of sound is 
paramount, with greater satisfaction than any other material with which I have experimented. 
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., Oct. 31, Isor. HARRY W. JONES, 4rchitect. 


FERNWOOD SCHOOL, CHICAGO, ILL. 
William B. Mundie, Architect, Chicago 


MPD YAOR Many ‘oageyoe py ‘AQQNT “JF Af 
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GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL, LOUISVILLE, KY. 


Mason Maury, Architect, Louisville 


The Deadening Quilt you sent us for deadening sound in our Masonic Temple was put down 
according to directions, and I can truthfully say it is all you claim for it—a complete deadener. 
MENDON, Micu., June 17, 1899. GEORGE ENGEL, W.M., Mendon Lodge 137, F.& A. M. 


STRONG SCHOOL, NEW HAVEN, CT. 


Witham H. Allen, Architect, New Haven, Ct. 


LIBERTY SCHOOL, ENGLEWOOD, N. J. 
Davis & Shepard, Architects, 203 Broadway, N. J. 


We have specified Cabot’s Sheathing and Deafening Quilt in school and flat work, and it has 
always proved perfectly satisfactory. We consider it the best deafening medium in the market, and 
shall continue to specify it when we require a deafening material. 

TOLEDO; OHIO, Oct. 17, 190m LANGDON & HOHLY, 4rchitects. 


WILLIAM STREET SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 


Guy Kirkham, Architect, Springfield 


TONER SCHOOL, WASHINGTON, D.C. 


"Hornblower & Marshall, Architects, Washington, D C. 


We have used the Samuel Cabot Sheathing Quilt in a number of our school buildings as an 


insulator, and find the material to give perfect satisfaction. 
WM. B. ITTNER, Commissioner of School Buildings. 


Sr Louis, Mo., Sept. 26, 1901. 


I have used your Quilt in the Berkeley High School as a deadener of sound, and it has given 


perfect satisfaction. I shall not hesitate to specify it in future. 
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., Oct. 14, 1901. ILOUWUS Se SWONTE, 4agnaa 


HIGH SCHOOL, BERKELEY, CAL. 


Louis S Stone, Architect, San Francisco 


HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE FALLS, N. Y. 


Archimedes Russell, Architect, Syracuse 


We have used Quilt between floors in all our later schools and apartment houses, and have 
obtained better results than from any other process of deadening we have ever used. 


TOLEDO, OHIO, Oct. 3 UG, WACHTER, HUDSON & CO., Architects. 


CENTRE AVENUE SCHOOL, NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y. 


Orchard & Joralemon, Architects, Niagara Halls, N. V. 


ST. BONIFACIUS PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 


HT. D. Dagit, Architect, Philadelphia 


I used Quilt for deadening the floors of the Harding school building, Monmouth, IIl., with entire 
satisfaction. I consider it far superior to any other deadener I have ever used. 


CHICAGO, PILE, “Oct. 17, 1.1599- OLIVER W. MARBLE, Architect. 


EAST SIDE SCHOOL, BEDFORD, IND. 


M. C. Pritchett, Architect, Louisville, Ky. 


Scientific ana Conclusive 
Tests followed by 
Perfectly Satisfactory 
Results. 


In 1902, when the new buildings for the New 
England Conservatory of Music were projected, 
the question of sound-proofing the floors and par- 
titions was considered a most important one, be- 


DORMITORIES, N. E. CONSERVATORY cause nearly all of the rooms, especially in the 
OF MUSIC dormitories, were to be used by the students for 
E. T. Barker, Architect, Boston practicing, and would be useless for that purpose 


if the sounds from one room could penetrate into the others. The Trustees therefore commissioned 
Prof. C. L. Norton, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an eminent authority upon the sub- 
ject, to make practical tests of the various methods of deadening sound. His tests were of the most 


exhaustive character, made on a large 
scale, and probably the most elaborate 
tests of the kind evermade. The re- 
sults proved that our Quilt was far 
superior to the five other methods 
employed, as the following extract 
from Professor Norton’s report shows: 
“The efficiency of the Cabot 
Quilt as a material for rendering 
the partition ‘ sound-proof’ is so 
clearly demonstrated in these 
tests that I recommend it for 
use in the partitions for which 
these tests were made.” 


(All of the other partitions were 
thicker, heavier, and more expensive 
than the ones in which Quilt was 
used.) 

Quilt was accordingly used in both 
the Dormitories and the Conservatory 
itself, with such completely satisfac- 


tory results that the musicians in one 


room do not conflict with their N. E. CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, BOSTON, MASS. 
neighbors, Wheelwright & Haven, Architects 


As a further result of the above tests, the 
Canadian Conservatory of Music, at Ottawa, 
also used Quilt for deadening, and the follow- 
ing letter shows their result: 


CANADIAN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC. 


OTTAWA, December 21, 1903. 

DEAR SIR: — A primary requirement of 
paramount importance in the construction 
of such an edifice as a Conservatory of 
Music is that the building shall be in- 
ternally sound-proof, and in this essential 
particular the Canadian Conservatory of 
Music has exceeded the most sanguine ex- 
pectation of both Architect and Director- 
ate. We used Cabot’s Sheathing Quilt 
next to the studding in all partitions and 
between ceiling and floors with the above 


THE CANADIAN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, excellent results. - Yours truly, 
OTTAWA, ONT. Isl, IU IDIDIELCO MUNN, 
£. L. Horwood, Architect, Ottawa Musical Director. 


SAMUEL CABOT, Sole Manufacturer, BOSTON, Mass. 


